WASHINGTON – Congress has finished work on a final defense authorization bill that boosts military spending and provides more dollars for Connecticut defense contractors.
Pratt & Whitney
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House okays defense bill, but rejects Courtney’s sub bid
Washington – The U.S. House on Thursday rejected Rep. Joe Courtney’s bid to require the Pentagon to spend an additional $1 billion this year for additional Virginia-class submarines made by Electric Boat, a move strongly opposed by the Defense Department. The Pentagon successfully argued that spending more on the Electric Boat-made subs would siphon off funds from other military priorities.
Posted inNews, Politics
CT defense industry a likely loser under Trump tariff plan
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s defense industry would be a likely loser if President Donald Trump moves forward with his intention to raise tariffs on imported aluminum and steel. The main reason — foreign governments could retaliate by purchasing fewer U.S. made planes, helicopters and jet engines.
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Budget impasse hurts CT defense industry, young immigrants, others
WASHINGTON — Whether, and how, Congress comes to an agreement on a massive spending bill to fund the federal government will impact Connecticut in several ways. The health of the state’s defense industry, as well as that of thousands of Connecticut children, and the fate of immigrant youth and the Affordable Care Act are at stake.
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UTC chief quits Trump advisory group as White House disbands it
WASHINGTON — United Technologies CEO Gregory Hayes said he was quitting President Donald Trump’s American Manufacturing Council. “As the events of last week have unfolded here in the U.S., it is clear that we need to collectively stand together and denounce the politics of hate, intolerance and racism,” Hayes said.
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Pratt & Whitney showcases engine on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — Taking advantage of President Donald Trump’s proclamation of “Made in America” week, Pratt & Whitney parked its new quieter, more efficient commercial engine on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. “This is a product that is made in America that is exported to other countries,” said Rep. John Larson, D-1st District.
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Military ramp-up challenges EB, other CT defense firms to find skilled workers
WASHINGTON — Even before President Donald Trump assumed office, the Navy had big plans for expansion that included new submarine work for Electric Boat. Now the ramp-up has grown, along with the Groton shipyard’s challenge to find enough skilled workers. High demand for Pratt and Whitney aircraft engines is adding to the need for skilled workers.
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Congress authorizes boost of CT-made weapons systems
WASHINGTON — House and Senate Armed Services panels have finished work on bills that would allow increased submarine production and boost the Pentagon’s authority to buy Sikorsky-made helicopters and F-35 fighter jets whose engines are made by Pratt & Whitney.
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Pentagon wish list would be gift to CT defense industry
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has given Congress wish lists totaling more than $30 billion in additional weaponry and personnel that could substantially boost the number of F-35s and Sikorsky helicopters purchased this year. These requests are in addition to the $30 billion President Trump has sough in increased funding for the Pentagon this year.
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CT lawmakers vote against waiver for defense secretary nominee Mattis
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Thursday voted against granting retired Marine Gen. James Mattis a waiver that would allow him to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s secretary of defense. Blumenthal was only one of three members of the Senate Armed Services Committee to vote against a waiver.
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Trump takes another shot at F-35 program
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump took another swipe at the F-35 program Wednesday during his first press conference since November’s election. “It’s way behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget,” Trump said. “I don’t like that.”
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Analyst: Trump’s idea for F-35 would be ‘a disaster for the U.S.’
WASHINGTON — While President-elect Donald Trump is unhappy about the cost of Lockheed Martin’s F-35, replacing it with a cheaper jet would face serious problems, defense analysts and Connecticut’s lawmakers say. Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute, called Trump’s idea “a disaster for the United States” that would hurt the nation’s military strength.
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U.S. House approves stopgap bill that helps CT defense industry
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers on Thursday helped pass a stopgap spending bill that would prevent a government shutdown – and ease the way for the confirmation of retired Gen. James N. Mattis as the next secretary of defense – but there’s trouble in the Senate.
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Defense hawks hope Trump keeps vow to boost military spending
WASHINGTON — The House has approved a $619 billion defense bill and the Senate is expected to follow this week, but there’s a push to add F-35s, Black Hawk helicopters and other military hardware to the Pentagon’s shopping list early next year, right after President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
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Air Force still doesn’t know what caused F-35 fire
WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s is continuing to investigate the cause of September’s fire in the rear area of an F-35 on a training mission in Idaho. It hasn’t ruled out problems with the jet fighter’s Pratt & Whitney engine.